Ray Edwin Ambrosia, 91, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Tuesday (January 17, 2017) at his home.

The son of Arliss R. and Hallie A. (Starbuck) Ambrosia, he was born September 21, 1925 in Greensburg, Missouri. He married Betty Hamilton and to this union two daughters and a son were born. On May 8, 1977, in Brashear, Missouri, Ray married Viola Patterson.

Ray was preceded in death by his wife Viola, one son in infancy, one daughter, Charlotte "Kathy" Scott, one sister and brother-in-law, Avis and Roland Ratliff and nephews Larry Ratliff and Garry Ratliff.

Ray is survived by one daughter, Gerry Shoop of Kirksville, MO; four grandsons, Ken (Naomi) Scott of Kirksville, MO, Chris (Mary) Scott of Holt's Summit, MO, Doug Shoop and Joe (Laura) Shoop all of Kirksville, MO; three step-grandchildren, David Patterson and Donna (Gary) Scruggs of Kirksville, MO and Brian (Shelly) Patterson, of Iowa; nineteen great-grandchildren and ten great-great-grandchildren; four nieces, Karen Sue (Jim) Moul of Freeman, MO, Anita Slaughter of Kirksville, MO, Jorja (Russ) Hartwell of Peoria, IL, and Nancy Taylor of Branson, MO.

A WWII Veteran, Ray entered the U.S. Army in August, 1944 and served with the 11th Armored Division in Europe. He was seriously wounded in March 1945 and honorably discharged December 1945.

Ray graduated from the Kirksville High School with the Class of 1943. Following that he farmed with his father prior to his military service. Ray farmed part-time while spending 50 years in the plumbing and heating business in Kirksville. He was well respected among his peers and valued by his customers who knew they could count on him for a job well done.

Ray was a member of AF AM Lodge #105, 1451 Moose Lodge and Moila Temple of Kirksville.

Public visitation is in progress and family will receive friends this evening, Thursday (January 19, 2017) from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home with a Masonic service held at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday (January 20, 2017) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home, with Pastor Dan Todd officiating. Interment with military honors will follow the service at Maple Hills Cemetery in Kirksville.

Pallbearers will be Ken Scott, Doug Shoop, Chris Scott, Joe Shoop, Jeremy Brown, and Ed Scott. Honorary pallbearers will be Buddy Ambrosia, Gerald Crow, Dick Buck, Chuck Ambrosia, John Collop and Chris Collop.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Ray Ambrosia may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children or to the Masonic Lodge #105. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.